Mission Valley in Tucson in Pima County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Mission San Xavier del Bac
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, January 26, 2010
1. Mission San Xavier del Bac Marker
The church continues to serve as the parish church for the Tohono O'odham.
This plaque was donated in loving memory of Jeanette C. Checola
Jan 1, 1939 Mar. 4, 2004
R.I.P.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1868.
Location. 32° 6.42′ N, 111° 0.465′ W. Marker is in Tucson, Arizona, in Pima County. It is in Mission Valley. It can be reached from San Xavier Road. Mission is located 6 miles south of Tucson on I-19 exit 92 San Xavier Road. Go west 0.9 mi and then north 0.3 mi on Little Nogales Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1800 San Xavier Road, Tucson AZ 85746, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Sky Islands, in the Sonoran
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Mission San Xavier del Bac (a few steps from this marker); The Grotto at San Xavier del Bac (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Municipal Airport in the United States (approx. 4.7 miles away); The Korean War Memorial (approx. 6.7 miles away); Tucsonans Killed in Action (approx. 6.7 miles away); These Immortal Chaplains (approx. 6.7 miles away); Si We:begi Ha Ρeid (approx. 7 miles away); Sentinel Peak (approx. 7.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tucson.
More about this marker. Marker is mounted on the wall of the original living quarters.
Also see . . . Kino Heritage Society. (Submitted on December 2, 2019.)
Additional commentary.
1. Marble Slab Mounted
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, January 26, 2010
2. Mission San Xavier del Bac Marker and Entrance to Living Quarters
Latin Inscription:
Hic a laboribus suis requiescunt duo Missionarii praeclari qui mango cum fructu in hac regione vitam agentes operosam diem supremum oblerunt
die 9 Oct.1795
Rev. P. Narcissus Gutierrez O.F.M.
die 21 Dec. 1821
English translation:
Here rest from their labors two renowned missionaries who departed this life in the midst of an arduous and very successful career in this region.
Died October 9, 1795
Reverend Father Narciso Gutierrez, O.F.M.
Died December 21, 1821
Their bodies, transferred from the old Franciscan Mission at Tumacacori, Arizona, were interred in this Mission of San Francisco Xavier February 21, 1935.
— Submitted January 28, 2010.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, January 26, 2010
3. Mission San Xavier del Bac
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, January 26, 2010
4. Original Living Quarters and Workrooms
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, January 26, 2010
5. San Xavier del Bac Mortuary Chapel
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, January 26, 2010
6. San Xavier del Bac Mortuary Chapel
Marble slab set in floor is the plaque seen in photo #7.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner
7. In Memory of Mission Padres Marble Marker
See "Additional Comments" for inscription and translation.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner
8. San Xavier del Bac National Historical Landmark Marker
Has been designated a
Registered National
Historic Landmark
Under the provisions of
the historic sites act of August 21, 1935
This site possesses exceptional value
in commemorating and illustrating
the history of the United States
Department of the Interior
National Park Service
1963
Photographed by Bill Kirchner
9. San Xavier del Bac National Historical Landmark Plaque
Plaque is mounted on the wall to the right of the entrance to the church.
Photographed by Denise Boose, June 15, 2011
10. View of the Altar and Interior
Photographed by Denise Boose, June 15, 2011
11. Interior Art Work
Photographed by Denise Boose, June 15, 2011
12. Interior Art Work
Photographed by Denise Boose, June 15, 2011
13. Ornate Front Facade
The ornate front facade is of red arabesque. The first, above and to the left with crown & royal robe is the statue of Saint Elizabeth. To the right the upper figure with tambourine is St. Cecilia. The church front entrance is covered with beautiful scroll work with the coat of arms of the Franciscan monks, which is a cross, with a rope coil above and two arms below, one of which represents that of Christ, and the other one that of St. Francis de Assisi.
14. Mission San Xavier del Bac
A vintage photograph from the Mission San Xavier del Bac Museum.
Photographed by Richard Denney, September 12, 2010
15. Mission San Xavier del Bac
For a 1902 vs. now view of Mission San Xavier del Bac, from approximate same angle select the "Click for more information" link below.
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed by Michael D Martin, April 18, 2009
16. Mission San Xavier
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, January 26, 2010
17. Mission San Xavier del Bac
South face of Mission. Mortuary chapel is at left, church in center, and original living quarters and workrooms to the right.
Photographed by Richard Denney
18. Panorama of Mission and Surrounding Area
Click on photo to expand
Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,914 times since then and 67 times this year. Last updated on May 12, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on January 27, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. submitted on June 9, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 15. submitted on September 18, 2010, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 16. submitted on January 16, 2011, by Michael D Martin of Gig Harbor, Washington. 17. submitted on January 27, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 18. submitted on May 20, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
